KR20240051576A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigerator, comprising: a cabinet forming a storage space; and a door that opens and closes the storage space, wherein the door includes: an out plate forming a front surface of the door and having an opening, a panel assembly mounted on the opening; A door liner forming the back of the door; and a support frame supporting the rear surface of the panel assembly, wherein the panel assembly includes: a front panel forming a front surface; an insulation panel disposed at the rear and spaced apart from the front panel; a rear panel forming the rear; and a gap disposed between the front panel and the insulation panel, wherein the support frame includes a panel support portion formed along the periphery of the front panel, and a heater that is recessed from the front of the panel support portion to the rear to heat the front panel. It is characterized in that it includes a heater accommodating groove, and a heater restraining portion formed to protrude from one side of the heater accommodating groove and contact at least a portion of the heater.

Description

Refrigerator {Refrigerator}

The present invention relates to refrigerators.

In general, a refrigerator is a home appliance that allows food to be stored at low temperature in an internal storage space that is opened and closed by a door. To this end, refrigerators are designed to keep stored food in optimal condition by cooling the inside of the storage space using cold air generated through heat exchange with the refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration cycle.

Recently, refrigerators are gradually becoming larger and more multi-functional in accordance with changes in eating habits and the trend of higher quality products, and refrigerators equipped with various structures and convenience devices are being released to ensure user convenience and efficient use of internal space. .

Recently, Republic of Korea Patent No. 10-2273092 discloses a refrigerator that allows the food inside to be checked without opening the door by making part of the door transparent or allowing the inside of the refrigerator to be visible.

The purpose of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator that allows the interior of the refrigerator to be seen through when the refrigerator door is closed by allowing at least a portion of the refrigerator door to be selectively made transparent by a user's manipulation.

The purpose of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator that can prevent condensation from forming on the front panel that forms the front of the door.

The purpose of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator in which it is easy to assemble and install a heater to prevent condensation.

A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a cabinet forming a storage space; and a door that opens and closes the storage space, wherein the door includes: an out plate forming a front surface of the door and having an opening, a panel assembly mounted on the opening; A door liner forming the back of the door; and a support frame supporting the rear surface of the panel assembly, wherein the panel assembly includes: a front panel forming a front surface; an insulation panel disposed at the rear and spaced apart from the front panel; a rear panel forming the rear; and a gap disposed between the front panel and the insulation panel, wherein the support frame includes a panel support portion formed along the periphery of the front panel, and a heater that is recessed from the front of the panel support portion to the rear to heat the front panel. It is characterized in that it includes a heater accommodating groove, and a heater restraining portion that protrudes from one side of the heater accommodating groove and is formed to contact at least a portion of the heater.

The front panel may be formed larger than the insulation panel or the rear panel, and the heater receiving groove may be formed along the perimeter of the front panel.

The heater restraint portion may be arranged in plural numbers along the heater receiving groove.

The heater receiving groove includes a first part formed at one end of the panel support, a second part spaced in one direction from the first part, and a third part connecting the rear end of the first part and the rear end of the second part. It is possible.

The heater may be arranged to be spaced apart from the third part at a set interval.

The heater restraint part may be formed to protrude from the second part toward the first part.

An end of the second portion may be formed to extend further forward than the front end of the panel support portion, and the heater receiving groove may include a round groove formed by being roundly recessed in the second portion.

The heater can be in contact with the round groove.

The out plate includes a plate bending portion bent backward from the circumferential surface of the opening, and the support frame is formed at the other end of the panel support portion and may include a plate receiving groove formed even when the plate bending portion is inserted. .

The heater accommodating groove may be formed so that the length of the depression from front to back corresponds to the length of the plate accommodating groove being depressed from front to back.

The heater receiving groove may have a recessed length from front to back that is more than twice the diameter of the heater.

The door includes a main door that opens and closes the storage space, and a sub door rotatably connected to the main door, and the sub door includes the out plate, the panel assembly, the door liner, and the support frame. It is possible to form by combining.

A bezel is formed along the periphery of the front panel, and the heater can be disposed at a position corresponding to the bezel.

A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a cabinet forming a storage space; and a door that opens and closes the storage space, wherein the door includes a main door that opens and closes the storage space, and a sub-door rotatably connected to the main door, wherein the sub-door is one of the doors. An out plate forming a front surface and having an opening, a panel assembly mounted on the opening; A door liner forming the back of the door; and a support frame supporting the rear surface of the panel assembly, wherein the support frame includes a panel support formed along the periphery of the panel assembly, and a heater that is recessed from the front of the panel support to the rear to accommodate a heater that heats the panel assembly. It is characterized by including a heater receiving groove and a heater restraining portion formed to protrude from one side of the heater receiving groove and contact at least a portion of the heater.

The panel assembly includes a front panel forming a front surface; an insulation panel disposed at the rear and spaced apart from the front panel; a rear panel forming the rear; and a gap disposed between the front panel and the insulating panel, wherein the front panel is formed to be larger than the insulating panel and the rear panel, and the heater can be disposed along the perimeter of the back of the front panel. .

The following effects can be expected from the refrigerator according to the proposed embodiment.

In the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention, the interior of the refrigerator can be selectively visualized by selectively switching the transparent portion of the panel assembly to transparent or opaque.

In the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention, a support frame is provided on the inside of the door, and the out plate and panel assembly can be supported by the support frame. In addition, the support frame has a heater placed in contact with the front panel, which has weak insulation, to prevent condensation from forming on the front panel.

In addition, the support frame is provided with a heater restraint part that fixes the heater, which has the advantage of simplifying the task of mounting the heater to the support frame.

1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a perspective view with the sub door of the refrigerator open.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the main door of the refrigerator open.
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the sub door viewed from the front.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the sub door viewed from the rear.
Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the sub door viewed from the front.
Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of the sub door viewed from the rear.
Figure 8 is a perspective view of the support frame according to an embodiment of the present invention as seen from the front.
Figure 9 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the support frame for explaining the fixing structure of the heater according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 10 is a cross-sectional perspective view to explain the structure in which the heater is mounted on the support frame.
Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the sub door.
Figure 12 is a perspective view of the refrigerator before the knocking operation.
Figure 13 is a perspective view of the state of the refrigerator after a knocking operation.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail along with the drawings. However, the present invention cannot be said to be limited to the embodiments in which the idea of the present invention is presented, and other inventions that are regressive or other embodiments included within the scope of the present invention can be easily developed by adding, changing, or deleting other components. can be suggested.

Before explaining, define the direction. The embodiment of the present invention is forward in the direction toward the door based on the cabinet shown in FIG. 1, backward in the direction toward the cabinet relative to the door, downward in the direction toward the floor where the refrigerator is installed, and downward in the direction toward the floor surface where the refrigerator is installed. The direction can be defined as upward.

Additionally, an embodiment of the present invention may define the left direction and the right direction based on the front view of the refrigerator with reference to FIG. 1 .

1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be formed by a cabinet 10 that forms a storage space, and doors 20 and 30 that open and close the storage space.

The cabinet 10 may be partitioned upward and downward by a barrier 11. A refrigerating chamber 12 may be formed in the upper part of the cabinet 10, and a freezing chamber 13 may be formed in the lower part of the cabinet 10.

A control unit 14 may be formed on the upper surface of the cabinet 10 to control the overall operation of the refrigerator 1. The control unit 14 may be configured to control electrical components for cooling operation of the refrigerator 1 as well as selective viewing and screen output of the transparency unit 21.

The door may be composed of a refrigerator door 20 and a freezer door 30. The refrigerating compartment door 20 can be opened and closed by rotating the open front of the refrigerating compartment 12. The freezer compartment door 30 can be opened and closed by rotating the open bottom of the freezer compartment 13.

The refrigerating compartment door 20 may be provided with a left and right pair so that the refrigerating compartment 12 is shielded by the pair of doors. The freezer compartment door 30 may be provided with a left and right pair so that the freezer compartment 13 can be opened and closed by the pair of doors. Alternatively, the freezer door 30 may be configured to be withdrawn in a drawer type as needed, and may be configured of one or more freezer doors.

In the embodiment of the present invention, a bottom freeze type refrigerator in which the freezer compartment 13 is provided at the bottom is described as an example, and a refrigerator in which a pair of doors in one space is rotated to open and close each is applied as an example. The invention can be applied to all types of refrigerators equipped with doors, regardless of the shape of the refrigerator.

The refrigerator compartment door 20 and the freezer compartment door 30 form an overall appearance when viewed from the front and are made of a metal material, so that the entire refrigerator 1 can have a metal texture. Additionally, if necessary, the refrigerating compartment door 20 may be equipped with a dispenser 22 for dispensing water or ice.

Additionally, handles 23 may be formed on the refrigerating compartment door 20 and the freezer compartment door 30. The user can open and close the refrigerator door 20 or the freezer door 30 by putting his or her hand on the handle 23.

The handle 23 is provided with an operation button 231, and the sub door 50 is provided with a locking unit 232 operated by the operation button 231. The locking unit 232 protrudes toward the rear of the sub door 50 and can be selectively separated from the restraining member 404 of the main door.

Meanwhile, the door on at least one side may be formed to allow visibility into the interior. The refrigerating compartment door 20 may be provided with a transparent portion 21, which is an area capable of seeing the storage space on the back of the door and/or the interior space.

The transparent portion 21 may form at least a portion of the front of the refrigerating compartment door 20. The transparent unit 21 can be selectively made transparent or opaque depending on the user's manipulation. The user can identify the food stored in the container through the viewing unit 21.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the transparent portion 21 is formed in the refrigerator compartment door 20 as an example, but the transparent portion 21 includes the freezer compartment door 30 according to the structure and shape of the refrigerator. It may also be provided on various other types of refrigerator doors.

Figure 2 is a perspective view with the sub door of the refrigerator open. And, Figure 3 is a perspective view with the main door of the refrigerator open.

Based on FIG. 2 , the right refrigerating compartment door 20 of the pair of refrigerating compartment doors 20 may be configured to be dually opened and closed. The refrigerating compartment door 20 located on the right side includes a main door 40 that opens and closes the refrigerating compartment 12, and a sub rotatably disposed on the main door 40 that opens and closes the opening 41 formed in the main door 40. It may consist of a door 50.

The main door 40 may be formed to have the same size as the left refrigerator compartment door 20 (as seen in FIG. 1) among the pair of refrigerator compartment doors 20. The main door 40 is rotatably mounted on the cabinet 10 by an upper hinge 401 and a lower hinge 402 to open and close at least a portion of the refrigerating compartment 12.

An opening 41 having a predetermined size is formed in the main door 40. A door basket 431 may be mounted on the rear of the main door 40. At this time, the size of the opening 41 may be formed to occupy most of the front surface of the main door 40 except for a portion of the circumference of the main door 40.

A main gasket 45 is provided around the rear of the main door 40 to prevent cold air in the interior space of the cabinet 10 from leaking when the main door 40 is opened and closed.

The sub door 50 is rotatably mounted on the front of the main door 40 to open and close the opening 41. Therefore, the opening 41 can be exposed by opening the sub door 50.

The size of the sub door 50 may be the same as that of the main door 40 and may be configured to shield the entire front of the main door 40.

When the sub door 50 is closed, the main door 40 and the sub door 50 may be coupled and have the same size and shape as the refrigerating compartment door 20 formed on the side.

A sub gasket 503 is provided on the back of the sub door 50 to seal the space between the main door 40 and the sub door 50.

The sub door 50 is provided with a panel assembly 60 in the center. The panel assembly 60 may be optionally provided so that its interior can be seen. This panel assembly 60 may also be called a transparent panel assembly 60.

Even when the sub door 50 is closed by the panel assembly 60, the inside of the opening 41 can be selectively seen.

The transparent portion 21 may be defined as a portion of the sub door 50 where the inner side of the cavity is visible. However, the transparent portion 21 may not coincide with the entire panel assembly 60.

The panel assembly 60 may be configured to selectively change its state to transparent or opaque according to user manipulation. Therefore, it becomes transparent to make the inside of the room visible only when the user wants it, and it can remain opaque in other situations. The panel assembly 60 may also be capable of displaying a screen in a transparent or opaque state.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the panel assembly 60 is configured to shield the open portion of the sub door 50, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

Depending on the shape of the door, the panel assembly 60 has an opening formed in the door 20 and shields the opening of the door 20 even when it is composed of a single door, such as the door 20 on the right side of the refrigerating compartment 12. Can be installed.

In other words, it should be noted that the panel assembly 60 can be applied to any type of door that has an opening penetrating the door, regardless of the shape of the refrigerator and the shape of the door.

The sub door 50 is provided with a sub upper hinge 501 and a sub lower hinge 502 at the top and bottom, respectively, and can be rotatably mounted on the front of the main door 40.

The sub door 50 may be equipped with an opening device 59. The main door 40 may be provided with a locking unit 42 at a position corresponding to the opening device 59. Accordingly, the sub door 50 can be maintained in a closed state by combining the opening device 59 and the locking unit 42. When the restraint between the opening device 59 and the locking unit 42 is released by manipulating the opening device 59, the sub door 50 can be opened based on the main door 40.

A damping device 504 may be provided at the bottom of the sub door 50. The damping device 504 is configured to alleviate the impact when the sub door 50 is closed.

The damping device 504 may be located adjacent to the sub lower hinge 502 to alleviate the impact when the heavy sub door 50 is closed by the panel assembly 60.

Meanwhile, a storage case 43 may be provided on the back of the main door 40. A plurality of door baskets 431 may be placed in the storage case 43. The storage case 43 is provided with a case door 432 to cover the back of the door basket 431.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the sub door viewed from the front. And, Figure 5 is a perspective view of the sub door seen from the rear. And, Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the sub door viewed from the front. And, Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of the sub door viewed from the rear.

The sub door 50 includes an out plate 51 that forms the exterior and a door liner 56 that is mounted spaced apart from the out plate 51 to form a rear surface.

The sub door 50 includes an out plate 51 and a panel assembly 60 mounted on the opening of the door liner 56.

The sub door 50 may include an upper cap deco 54 forming an upper surface and a lower cap deco 55 forming a lower surface. The sub door 50 may be formed by combining the out plate 51, the door liner 56, the panel assembly 60, the upper cap deco 54, and the lower cap deco 55.

The out plate 51 may form a portion of the front exterior and peripheral surface of the sub door 50. The out plate 51 may be formed of a plate-shaped stainless material.

The out plate 51 may be formed of the same material as the front surfaces of the refrigerating compartment door 20 and the freezer compartment door 30.

The out plate 51 may include a front portion 512 that forms the front exterior and a side portion 513 that forms the side exterior. A plate opening 511 is formed in the center of the front portion 512, and the plate opening 511 may be formed to be shielded by the panel assembly 60. Since the inside of the cabinet can be seen through the panel assembly 60 that shields the plate opening 511, the inside of the plate opening 511 can be referred to as the transparent portion 21.

A plate bending portion 514 bent backward may be formed on the peripheral surface of the out plate opening 511. The plate bent portion 514 may be formed along the perimeter of the plate opening 511. The plate bent portion 514 may be extended by a predetermined length so that it can be inserted into and fixed to the support frame 70.

Side parts 513 bent backward may be formed at both ends of the front part 512 of the out plate 51. The side portion 513 may be bent inward and coupled to the door liner 56.

The upper and lower ends of the front portion 512 may be bent inward and coupled to the upper cap deco 54 and the lower cap deco 55.

The door liner 56 may form the rear surface of the sub door 50 . The door liner 56 has a liner opening 561 formed in an area where the panel assembly 60 is disposed.

A sub gasket 503 that airtightens the space between the sub door 50 and the main door 40 may be mounted on the rear of the door liner 56.

A locking unit 42 may be installed on one side of the door liner 58, and a knock detection device 90 and a door opening assist device 59 may also be installed.

This knock detection device 90 is a device for detecting a knock on the sub door 50 by a user. The knock detection device 90 may include a microphone module that detects a knock-on signal by sensing sound waves.

Door lights may be provided on both sides of the liner opening 561. The door light may be provided to illuminate the back of the sub door 50 and the rear of the panel assembly 60.

The inner space of the storage case 43 can be illuminated by the door light. When the door light is turned on, the inside of the storage case 43 becomes brighter, and the inside of the storage case becomes brighter than the outside of the storage case. Accordingly, the space behind the sub door 50 can be visualized through the panel assembly 60.

For example, these door lights may be arranged on both sides of the panel assembly 60 in a direction facing each other. As for the mounting location of the door light, various arrangements may be possible as long as it has sufficient brightness at the rear of the sub door 50.

The upper cap deco 54 forms the upper surface of the sub door 50 and is coupled to the top of the out plate 51 and the door liner 56.

The upper surface of the upper cap deco 54 is open, forming a deco opening communicating with the space above the panel assembly 60, and can be shielded by the deco cover. The decor cover 543 may be equipped with PCBs for operating the panel assembly 60 and the electrical components inside the sub door 50.

The lower cap deco 55 forms the lower surface of the sub door 50 and is coupled to the out plate 51 and the lower end of the door liner 56.

The panel assembly 60 may be disposed between the out plate 51 and the door liner 56. Panel assembly 60 may be configured to shield plate opening 511 and door liner opening 561.

The panel assembly 60 can be selectively manipulated by the user into any one of transparent, translucent, opaque, and screen output states.

Accordingly, the user can not only selectively view the inner space of the sub door 50 through the panel assembly 60, but also view the screen output through the panel assembly 60.

Meanwhile, the panel assembly 60 may not include a display for screen output. The panel assembly 60 without a display may have the same external structure as the panel assembly 60 with a display, with the only difference being that no screen is output.

A support frame 70 is mounted around the plate opening 511 of the out plate 51 to support the panel assembly 60.

The panel assembly 60 can be fixedly mounted on the out plate 51 by the support frame 70.

The support frame 70 has a frame opening 701 formed in the center. The frame opening 701 is formed to be smaller than the size of the plate opening 511 to provide a structure on which the panel assembly 60 can be seated.

When the panel assembly 60 is mounted, the rear panel 65 may sequentially pass through the plate opening 511 and the frame opening 701 and be seated on the door liner 56.

The support frame 70 has a coupling structure with the out plate 51, and the ends of the out plate 51 and the panel assembly 60 can be mounted in close contact with each other.

The support frame 70 has a structure for fixing the heater 80. The heater 80 may be fixedly mounted on the support frame 70 and disposed on the back of the panel assembly 60.

At this time, the heater 80 can be placed on the bezel 611 formed around the front panel 61, so that the structures of the heater 80 and the support frame 70 are not exposed to the outside.

Below, we will look at the panel assembly structure in more detail.

The panel assembly 60 includes a front panel 61 forming the front, a rear panel 63 forming the rear, and an insulating panel 62 disposed between the front panel 61 and the rear panel 63. .

The panel assembly 60 may include a front panel 61, an insulation panel 62, and a gap 64 supporting the plurality of insulation panels 62.

The front panel 61 may be made of a glass material that allows selective internal transparency depending on the transmittance and reflectance of light, and may be called a half mirror.

That is, when the door lighting unit is turned on, light inside the door passes through the front panel 61 and the front panel 61 appears transparent. Accordingly, the interior space behind the sub door 50 or the storage space formed in the main door 40 can be viewed from the outside when the sub door 50 is closed.

And, when the door lighting unit 57 is turned off, light does not pass through the front panel 61 but is reflected, and thus the front panel 61 becomes like a mirror surface. In this state, the interior space behind the sub door 50 or the storage space formed in the main door 40 cannot be seen from the outside.

The front panel 61 can be subjected to various surface treatments so that the front panel 61 can have the same effect as a half mirror. For example, a titanium compound can be vacuum deposited on the entire surface of the glass layer constituting the front panel 61.

When a ceramic printing layer or a hard coating layer is formed on the back of the glass layer, the front panel 61 may be formed to have a light transmittance of 20% to 30% outside the front panel 61. At this time, if the transmittance is 20% or less, it may not be easy to see the interior from the outside even when the door lighting unit 57 is turned on.

When the transmittance is 30% or more, even when the door lighting unit 57 is turned off, the front of the panel assembly 60 does not look like a mirror when viewed from the outside, and the inside of the door can be partially transparent.

Meanwhile, the bezel 611 formed along the rear circumference of the front panel 61 may be formed so that light cannot pass through, and the edge of the front panel 61 where the bezel 611 is formed is It is configured to extend further outward than the insulation panel 62.

Therefore, on the back of the front panel 61 where the bezel 611 is formed, the support frame 70, heater 80, and gap 64 are not exposed to the front through the front panel 61.

Additionally, the knock detection device 90 may be disposed on the bezel 611 formed on the front panel 61. Accordingly, the knock detection device 90 can also be covered by the bezel 611 so that it is not exposed to the outside.

In detail, the support frame 70 is disposed in the area of the bezel 611 to fix the panel assembly 60. In addition, the heater 80 fixed by the support frame 70 can also be located in the area of the bezel 611.

Accordingly, both the heater 80 and the support frame 70 arranged along the edge of the panel assembly 60 are covered by the bezel 611 and are not exposed to the outside.

An interstitial bar 64 is formed around the rear surface of the front panel 61. The gap 64 separates the front panel 61 and the insulation panel 62 from each other, and allows the front panel 61 and the insulation panel 62 to be spaced apart from each other, so that the space between them can be sealed. .

The gap 64 may also be disposed between the plurality of insulation panels 62. The front panel 61, the insulation panel 62, and the plurality of gaps 64 may be attached to each other using an adhesive.

Additionally, by applying a sealant, the space between the front panel 61, the insulation panel 62, and the gap 64 and the outer surface of the panel assembly 60 can be maintained in an airtight state.

The insulation panel 62 may be formed to be smaller in size than the front panel 61 and may be located in the inner area of the front panel 61. In addition, the insulation panel 62 is preferably chemically strengthened glass that is chemically strengthened by immersing the glass in an electrolyte solution above the glass transition temperature.

The sealed space between the front panel 61 and the insulation panel 62 formed by the gap 64 and the sealed space between the plurality of insulation panels can be formed in a vacuum state to be insulated.

The insulation panel 62 may be formed as a single panel and mounted to be spaced apart from the front panel 61. If necessary, it may be possible to configure two or more insulation panels 62 to be spaced apart.

The panel assembly 60 may be configured to have a display and a light guide plate disposed behind the front panel 61 as needed, so that a screen is output on the front of the panel assembly 60.

The display may be composed of an LCD module that outputs a screen, and may be configured to be transparent so that it can be seen through when the screen is not output.

The light guide plate may be placed at a predetermined distance apart from the rear of the display. The light guide plate is used to diffuse or scatter light emitted from the display light, and may be made of various materials. For example, it may be made of a polymer material, and a pattern may be formed on the surface or a film may be attached.

Meanwhile, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a heater 80 may be provided to prevent condensation from occurring in the panel assembly 60. The heater 80 may be arranged to be in contact with the rear surface of the panel assembly 60 while being fixedly mounted on the support frame 70.

Below, the support frame 70 will be described in detail.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the support frame according to an embodiment of the present invention as seen from the front. And, Figure 9 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the support frame for explaining the fixing structure of the heater according to an embodiment of the present invention. And, Figure 10 is a cross-sectional perspective view to explain the structure in which the heater is mounted on the support frame. And, Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the sub door.

The support frame 70 is formed in a rectangular frame shape and has a frame opening 701 at the center. Additionally, the support frame 70 is formed to have a predetermined width to fix the out plate 51 and support the panel assembly 60 at the same time.

The support frame 70 includes an upper frame 71 forming the upper part, a lower frame 72 forming the lower part, and a side frame 73 connecting both ends of the upper frame 71 and the lower frame 72. It can be included.

The support frame 70 may form the overall shape of the support frame 70 by combining the upper frame 71, the lower frame 72, and the side frame 73.

The upper frame 71 may form the upper part of the support frame 70. The upper frame 71 can divide the upper space of the sub door 50 front and rear.

A frame barrier 561 extending to the upper surface of the sub-door 50 may be formed on the door liner 56, and the upper space of the sub-door 50 may be divided front and rear by the frame barrier 561. In addition, a space can be provided at the rear where PCBs can be accommodated.

The lower frame 72 may be coupled to the lower end of the side frame 9). The lower frame 72 may be configured to support the lower portion of the out plate 51 and the lower portion of the panel assembly 60.

The side frame 73 forms both left and right sides of the support frame 70 and extends long in the vertical direction to connect the upper frame 71 and the lower frame 72. The side frame 73 may have a structure that can be coupled to both ends of the upper frame 71 and the lower frame 72.

Of course, the support frame 70 may be formed by integrating the upper frame 71, the lower frame 72, and the side frame 73.

The support frame 70 may have a structure for supporting the out plate 51 and the front panel 61.

The support frame 70 may include a plate support 74. The plate support portion 74 forms the outermost portion of the support frame 70 and may be formed so that its front surface is in close contact with the rear surface of the out plate 51.

That is, the outermost circumference of the support frame 70 supports the back of the out plate 51, and can be adhered to the back of the out plate 51 using an adhesive member such as double-sided tape or an adhesive.

The plate support portion 74 may be formed along the circumference of the support frame 70. The plate support portion 74 may be formed in all of the upper frame 71, the lower frame 72, and the side frame 73.

The plate support portion 74 may include an uneven portion 741. The uneven portion 741 allows the actual material to be applied evenly, so that the out plate 51 and the support frame 70 can be firmly adhered.

The support frame 70 may include a plate receiving groove 75. The plate receiving groove 75 may be recessed at the end of the plate support portion 74. The plate receiving groove 75 may be formed so that the plate bent portion 514 of the out plate 51 is inserted.

When the out plate 51 is attached to the support frame 70, the plate bent portion 514 may be inserted into the plate receiving groove 75.

The plate bent portion 514 may contact the peripheral end of the panel assembly 60 when inserted into the plate receiving groove 75. Therefore, as seen from the front, there can be close contact between the out plate 51 and the front of the panel assembly 60 without a gap.

The support frame 70 may have a panel support portion 76 formed further inside the plate receiving groove 75.

The panel support portion 76 is intended to support the rear of the front panel 61, and may be located rearward of the plate support portion 74 and formed to be stepped from the plate support portion 74.

A guide rib 751 may be formed inside the plate receiving groove 75. The guide rib 751 allows the plate bent portion 514 inserted into the plate receiving groove 75 to come into close contact with the transparent panel assembly 60.

The guide rib 751 guides the plate to maintain an accurate position when inserted into the plate receiving groove 75.

A blocking portion 77 bent in the vertical direction may be formed at an end of the panel support portion 76. The blocking portion 77 may block the inflow of foaming liquid for molding the insulation material 531 into the transparent panel assembly 60.

Meanwhile, a heater receiving groove 761 may be formed in the panel support portion 76. The heater 80 can be accommodated inside the heater receiving groove 761. The heater 80 may heat the rear surface of the front panel 61.

In detail, the heater receiving groove 761 is used to prevent condensation by heating the periphery of the transparent panel assembly 60 in contact with the panel support 76, and may be formed along the panel support 76.

The heater 80 is used to heat the perimeter of the front panel 61, which has weak insulation, and prevents condensation from forming around the front panel 61.

The heater 59 may be disposed along the rear circumference of the panel assembly 60.

The location where the heater 80 is installed may be located inside the bezel 611 area and on a vertical line of the gasket 503.

The distance area between the door liner 56 and the front panel 61 has relatively poor insulation. Therefore, by placing the heater 80 at the corresponding location, condensation is prevented from occurring on the front surface of the front panel 61.

In addition, the peripheral portion of the front panel 61, that is, the front protrusion 613, exists between the area filled with the insulation material 513 inside the sub door 50 and the insulation layer formed on the panel assembly 60. This is a part where virtually no insulation is provided.

Accordingly, the peripheral portion of the front panel 61 may be vulnerable to insulation, and the corresponding area may be heated using the heater 80 to prevent condensation from forming around the front panel 61.

The operation of the heater 80 heats the end of the front panel 61, and cold energy is transmitted to the front panel 61 by the out plate 51, preventing condensation from forming at the end of the front panel 61. It can be prevented.

The heater is located in the bezel 611 and can effectively prevent condensation by heating parts vulnerable to insulation without being exposed to the outside.

The heater receiving groove 761 may be formed in a shape corresponding to the heater 80.

The heater receiving groove 761 completely accommodates the heater 80 so that the back of the front panel 61 can be seated on the panel support portion 76 when the front panel 61 is mounted. At this time, the heater receiving groove 761 may be formed so that the heater 80 is in contact with the rear surface of the front panel 61.

In detail, when the panel assembly 60 is mounted, the peripheral area of the front panel 61 may be seated in contact with the panel support portion 76. Additionally, the heater mounted in the heater receiving groove 761 may be located adjacent to the spacer 64. Therefore, it is possible to heat the peripheral area of the front panel 61.

At this time, it would be desirable for the heater 80 to be placed in the bezel 611 area of the front panel 61. Therefore, when the transparent panel assembly 60 is installed, the heater 80 in contact with the front panel 61 is not exposed to the outside.

The heater 80 may be formed in a wire shape, and a commonly used sheath heater may be used. The heater 80 has a diameter that can be inserted into the heater receiving groove 761 and can be arranged along the perimeter of the frame opening 701.

Meanwhile, a heater restraint part 762 that restrains the heater 80 may be provided on the support frame 70. The heater restraining part 762 may fix the heater 80 when the heater 80 is inserted into the heater receiving groove 761.

The heater restraint portion 762 may be arranged in plural numbers along the heater receiving groove 761. The heater restraint part 762 may be formed to contact at least a portion of the heater 80. Therefore. It is possible to prevent the heater 80 from flowing while inserted into the heater receiving groove 761.

The heater restraint part 762 may be provided at an end extending in one direction from the heater receiving groove 761.

In detail, the heater receiving groove 761 may be provided at one end of the panel support portion 76. For example, the support frame 70 may have a heater receiving groove 761 formed on one side with respect to the panel support 76 and a plate receiving groove 75 formed on the other side.

This heater receiving groove 761 may be formed by recessing one side end of the panel support portion 76 in one direction.

In detail, the heater receiving groove 761 includes a first part 761a formed at one end of the panel support 76, a second part 761b spaced in one direction from the first part 761a, and the first part 761b. It may include a third part 761c connecting the first part 761a and the second part 761b.

The third part 761c may be formed by being depressed backward with respect to the first part 761a or the second part 761b.

When the heater 80 is mounted in the heater receiving groove 761, the heater 80 may be arranged to be spaced apart from the third portion 761c at a set interval.

For example, the third part 761c may be formed to be spaced apart from the front end of the panel support 76 such that the distance is at least twice, and preferably at least three times, the diameter of the heater 80.

The third portion 761c may be formed so that the distance from the front end of the panel support 76 corresponds to the distance at which the plate receiving groove 75 is recessed from the front end of the panel support 76.

In this case, when the heater 80 is mounted in the heater receiving groove 761, the heat of the heater 80 can be effectively transmitted to the front panel 61. When the heater 80 is disposed adjacent to the third part 761c, heat generated by the heater 80 may be transferred to the third part 761c.

In other words, the heat generated by the heater 80 may be distributed to the front panel 61 and the third portion 761c. Therefore, in order to effectively transfer the heat of the heater 80 to the front panel 61, it is preferable that the heater 80 and the third part 761c are spaced apart from each other at a set interval.

The heater restraint part 762 may be formed in the second part 761b. In other words, the heater restraint part 762 may be formed at an end in a direction away from the plate support part 74 with respect to the heater receiving groove 761.

The heater restraint part 762 may be configured to contact at least a portion of the heater 80. For example, the heater restraint part 762 may be formed to extend from the second part 761b to the first part 761a. In this case, the heater restraint part 762 may pressurize at least a portion of the heater 80.

The first part 761a and the second part 761b may be formed of an elastic material. Therefore, the heater 80 can be easily inserted into the heater receiving groove 761 by elastic deformation of the second part 761b. And, when the heater 80 is inserted into the heater receiving groove 761, the heater restraint part 762 presses the heater 80 and prevents the heater 80 from moving.

The end of the second portion 761b may be formed further forward than the front end of the panel support portion 76. That is, when the support frame 70 is viewed from the front, the second part 761b may be formed to protrude further forward than the front of the panel support portion 76.

The heater restraint part 762 may be formed to protrude from the second part 761b toward the first part 761a. In this case, the lower end of the heater restraint part 762 may be formed at a position corresponding to the front end of the plate support part 74.

A round groove 763 may be provided in the second portion 761b. The round groove 763 may be formed by being rounded and depressed in one direction in the second portion 761b. The bottom of the round groove 763 may be formed at a position corresponding to the front end of the panel support portion 76.

The round groove 763 can prevent the second part 761b from being damaged during the process of inserting the heater 80 into the heater receiving groove 761. At least one surface of the heater 80 may be in contact with the round groove 763.

As the heater 80 is placed in contact with the round groove 763, the heater 80 can be mounted more firmly.

The heater 80 can be fixedly mounted in the heater receiving groove 761 by the heater restraining part 762. Accordingly, the task of attaching tape, etc. to fix the heater 80 to the heater receiving groove 761 can be omitted. The task of mounting the heater 80 to the support frame 70 can be simplified by the heater restraint part 762.

In addition, the heater restraint part 762 can be used to adjust the heater 80 to come into contact with the front panel 61 within a set area.

Figure 12 is a perspective view of the refrigerator before the knocking operation. And, Figure 13 is a perspective view of the state of the refrigerator after a knocking operation.

In a general situation where there is no separate operation of the refrigerator 1, the panel assembly 60 may be opaque and have a mirror-like state, as shown in FIG. 12 . In this state, it becomes impossible to see into the inside of the eye.

In this state, the knock detection device 90 remains activated and allows for user input at any time.

In this state, in order to check the food storage condition in the refrigerator, the user performs a knock-on operation by knocking on the front of the sub-door 50, that is, the front panel 61, from the front of the refrigerator. The knock detection device This is detected, and the sensing device PCB determines whether the knock-on operation is a valid operation.

When a valid knock on signal is detected, the control unit 14 turns on the door lighting unit 57.

When the door lighting unit 57 is turned on, the inside of the transparent unit 21 becomes bright, and the light inside the door passes through the panel assembly 60. In particular, as it passes through the front panel 61, the front panel 61 becomes transparent, allowing the interior to be seen as shown in FIG. 13.

When the sub door 50 becomes transparent, the user can check the storage space or interior space of the main door 40, and open the sub door 50 or perform necessary work to store food.

If a set time elapses after the door lighting unit 57 is turned on or a valid knock-on signal is input, the door lighting unit 57 may be turned off.

When the door lighting unit 57 is turned off, the inside of the door becomes dark and the outside of the door becomes bright. In this state, light from the outside is reflected from the front panel 61, so that the front of the sub door 50 is mirror-like, making it impossible to see through the inside. Accordingly, the sub door 50 maintains an opaque state until a new operation is input.

Claims (15)

cabinets forming storage space; and
It includes a door that opens and closes the storage space,
The door is
An out plate that forms the front of the door and has an opening,
a panel assembly mounted in the opening;
A door liner forming the back of the door; and
Includes a support frame supporting the rear surface of the panel assembly,
The panel assembly is,
A front panel forming the front face;
an insulation panel disposed at the rear and spaced apart from the front panel;
a rear panel forming the rear; and
It includes a gap disposed between the front panel and the insulation panel,
The support frame is,
a panel support formed along the periphery of the front panel;
a heater accommodating groove that is recessed from the front of the panel supporter toward the rear to accommodate a heater that heats the front panel;
A refrigerator including a heater restraint portion that protrudes from one surface of the heater receiving groove and is formed to contact at least a portion of the heater.
According to paragraph 1,
The front panel is,
Is formed larger than the insulation panel or the rear panel,
The heater accommodating groove is formed along the periphery of the front panel.
According to paragraph 2,
A refrigerator in which the heater restraint parts are arranged in plural numbers along the heater receiving groove.
According to paragraph 1,
The heater receiving groove is,
a first portion formed at one end of the panel support portion;
a second part spaced in one direction from the first part; and
A refrigerator including a third part connecting a rear end of the first part and a rear end of the second part.
According to paragraph 4,
A refrigerator in which the heater is arranged to be spaced apart from the third part at a set interval.
According to paragraph 4,
The heater restraint part,
A refrigerator formed to protrude from the second portion toward the first portion.
According to clause 5,
An end of the second portion is formed to extend further forward than the front end of the panel support portion,
The heater receiving groove is,
A refrigerator including a round groove formed by being roundly depressed in the second portion.
According to clause 6,
The heater is a refrigerator in contact with the round groove.
According to paragraph 4,
The out plate is,
It includes a plate bending portion bent backward from the circumferential surface of the opening,
The support frame is,
A refrigerator comprising a plate receiving groove formed at the other end of the panel support portion and formed even when the plate bent portion is inserted.
According to clause 8,
The heater receiving groove is
A refrigerator formed such that the length of the depression from the front to the back corresponds to the length of the plate receiving groove from the front to the rear.
According to clause 8,
The heater receiving groove is,
A refrigerator in which the length of the depression from front to back is more than twice the diameter of the heater.
According to paragraph 1,
The door is
It includes a main door that opens and closes the storage space, and a sub-door rotatably connected to the main door,
The sub door is,
A refrigerator formed by combining the out plate, the panel assembly, the door liner, and the support frame.
According to paragraph 1,
A bezel is formed along the periphery of the front panel,
A refrigerator in which the heater is disposed in a position corresponding to the bezel.
cabinets forming storage space; and
It includes a door that opens and closes the storage space,
The door is
It includes a main door that opens and closes the storage space, and a sub-door rotatably connected to the main door,
The sub door is,
An out plate that forms the front of the door and has an opening,
a panel assembly mounted in the opening;
A door liner forming the back of the door; and
Includes a support frame supporting the rear surface of the panel assembly,
The support frame is,
a panel support formed along the periphery of the panel assembly;
a heater receiving groove that is recessed from the front of the panel supporter to the rear to accommodate a heater that heats the panel assembly;
A refrigerator including a heater restraint portion that protrudes from one surface of the heater receiving groove and is formed to contact at least a portion of the heater.
According to clause 14,
The panel assembly is,
A front panel forming the front face;
an insulation panel disposed at the rear and spaced apart from the front panel;
a rear panel forming the rear; and
It includes a gap disposed between the front panel and the insulation panel,
The front panel is,
Formed to be larger than the insulation panel and the rear panel,
A refrigerator in which the heater is disposed along a rear circumference of the front panel.

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